Based on the classic 1933 movie musical of the same name,
42nd Street tells the story of a starry-eyed young actress
named Peggy Sawyer who has come to audition for the new Julian
Marsh musical that is about to open on Broadway. Unfortunately,
Peggy can't seem to work up the nerve to walk through the stage
door until it's too late--the audition is over. But not to worry!
Peggy soon catches the eye of the famous director, and when the
chorus turns up one girl short, Peggy gets her big break. But
Peggy can't seem to stay in the good graces of the show's aging
leading lady, Dorothy Brock, and on opening night, another Dancer
accidentally pushes Peggy into Ms. Brock who falls and breaks
her ankle. The furious director fires Peggy on the spot. Discouraged
and ready to give up all her dreams of becoming a star, Peggy
packs her bags and heads for the train station, but fate has
other plans and Peggy may turn out to be a star yet!

42nd Street opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on
August 25, 1980 with a cast that featured Jerry Orbach (Julian
Marsh), Lee Roy Reams (Billy), Wanda Richert (Peggy), and Tammy
Grimes (Dorothy). The original production--which moved to the
Majestic Theatre on March 30, 1981, enjoyed a run of 3,486 performances.